The North Andover High School girls lacrosse team (21-1-1, top seed) are the Division 1 North champions after defeating the Winchester Sachems (17-5, third seed), 17-12 at Walsh Stadium June 5.

Junior midfielder Leah Chittick scored a game-high six goals for the potent Scarlet Knights, followed by sophomore midfield Abbie Karalis with four.

Chittick scored the first two of the game within the first two minutes to give her teammates the lead, 2-1.

There was plenty of scoring going back and forth in this game throughout the first half, with Winchester capping it off with a goal to tie the game at eight. Senior midfielder Alaina Ewing was credited with the score off a penalty. Ewing ended up leading Winchester on offense with six goals.

Chittick recorded her fourth of the game to begin the second half, followed by a goal from junior midfield Missy Riccio. Tied at nine, the game was still up for grabs until the Knights took control of things at the 16-minute mark.

Thatís when Leah Chittick recorded her fifth of the game to propel a furious 6-0 run to seal the deal. Over the span of six minutes, Karalis scored two of her four goals, one off a penalty.

North Andover head coach Meredith Prior said this 6-0 run sealed the North championship deal.

Paving the way to victory was captain and senior attack Erin Kelley who recorded her second of three goals, and also sophomore midfielder Michelle Poirier with a goal off a penalty.

Although Winchester went on to score another three goals, the Scarlet Knights countered with two to account for the final score.

Coach Prior said she isnít too anxious to look ahead to their potential sectional opponent, but just wanted to relish the victory.

Prior talked about the teamís desire for redemption given North Andoverís loss in these same finals last year. She said the team knew what it felt like to take a picture with the second-place trophy, and, as she put it, "it wasnít fun."

Leah Chittick mentioned that her encouraging teammates fueled her in the second half, praising the teamís defensive effort.

"I was down for the beginning of the second half, and they pulled me up, and everyone contributed," she said.

Despite the loss, Winchester capped off a tremendous season, its first in Division 1.

Led by talented senior captains Alexis Miller and Ewing, the Sachems gave a sensational effort from the start.

North Andover will now go on to play the winner of the Westwood/Notre Dame Academy sectional final in the state semifinal game Monday, June 9, at Babson College in Wellesley.